Got a song in your heart?

[bleachededen]

You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

[Penelope]

Here's another one of Dylan's gems which seems very apt of late:-

Jokerman

Standing on the waters casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with the iron head are glowing
Distant ships sailing into the mist
You were born with a snake in both of your fists while a hurricane was blowing
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with the truth so far off, what good will it do?

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

So swiftly the sun sets in the sky
You rise up and say goodbye to no one
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Both of their futures, so full of dread, you don’t show one
Shedding off one more layer of skin
Keeping one step ahead of the persecutor within

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

You’re a man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds
Manipulator of crowds, you’re a dream twister
You’re going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care? Ain’t nobody there would want to marry your sister
Friend to the martyr, a friend to the woman of shame
You look into the fiery furnace, see the rich man without any name

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy
The law of the jungle and the sea are your only teachers
In the smoke of the twilight on a milk-white steed
Michelangelo indeed could’ve carved out your features
Resting in the fields, far from the turbulent space
Half asleep near the stars with a small dog licking your face

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

Well, the rifleman’s stalking the sick and the lame
Preacherman seeks the same, who’ll get there first is uncertain
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks
Molotov cocktails and rocks behind every curtain
False-hearted judges dying in the webs that they spin
Only a matter of time ’til night comes steppin’ in

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

It’s a shadowy world, skies are slippery grey
A woman just gave birth to a prince today and dressed him in scarlet
He’ll put the priest in his pocket, put the blade to the heat
Take the motherless children off the street
And place them at the feet of a harlot
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants
Oh, Jokerman, you don’t show any response

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

[giselle]

Yes there are a few 'jokermans' out there. And indeed, "you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows", especially when a weatherman is so often wrong.

Bob certainly captured so much social and political commentary in his songs, often in just a few words. I think there are some more recent songwriters who reflect today's in your face and often violent political/street life with some similar 'authority' issues that Dylan reflected. Here is the second verse of Tupac Shakurs' 'Thugz Mansion':

Will I survive all the fights and the darkness?
Trouble sparks, they tell me home is where the heart is, dear departed
I shed tattooed tears and couldn't sleep good
for multiple years, witness peers catch gunshots
Nobody cares, seen the politicians ban us
They'd rather see us locked in chains, please explain
why they can't stand us, is there a way for me to change?
Or am I just a victim of things I did to maintain?
I need a place to rest my head
with the little bit of homeboys that remains, cause all the rest dead
Is there a spot for us to roll, if you find it
I'll be right behind ya, show me and I'll go
How can I be peaceful? I'm comin from the bottom
Watch my daddy scream peace while the other man shot him
I need a house that's full of love when I need to escape
the deadly places slingin drugs, in thug's mansion

[Saffron]

Giselle and Penny: I sure have enjoyed your past few posts, thanks!

[Penelope]

Giselle,Saffron and Me - Germany, Canada and England - All together now - 1 2 3


Have I a hope, or half a chance
To even ask if I could dance with you, yoo hoo
Would you greet me or politely turn away
Would there suddenly be sunshine on a cold and rainy day
Oh babe, what would you say?

For there are you, sweet lollipop
Here am I with such a lot to say, hey hey
Just to walk with you along the milky way
To caress you through the nighttime
Bring you flowers everyday
Oh babe, what would you say?

'Cause, oh, baby I know
I know I could be so in love with you
And I know that I could make you love me too
And if I could only hear you say you dooo, ooh, ooh, ooh
But anyway, what would you say?

Yes, oh, baby I know
I know I could so in love with you
And I know that I could make you love me too
And if I could only hear you say you dooo, ooh, ooh, ooh
But anyway, what would you say


By jove I needed that - Now I feel much better!!!!

[Saffron]

Giselle,Saffron and Me - Germany, Canada and England - All together now - 1 2 3

What a great little number! I knew what song it was right away, but could not remember the name (I had to look) -- Oh Babe What Would You Say by Hurricane Smith. This is a song they used to play at the Roller Rink when I was a kid.

BTW: I'm USA not Canada -- hard for me to believe sometimes, but here I am in the good ol' USA.

[Penelope]

Saffron: I am sorry, I always think you are in Canada - in spite of the flag - I hate flags and try not to look at them anyway.

But I saw your photo in the gallery once and you are the absolute image of my friend Janet, who went to live in Vancouver in the 1960's. I missed her, although still in touch.

So I always think - Canadian. Sorry. You all sound the same to us you know!!

[Penelope]

Oh Bugger, I've just remembered, it is Oblivion in Germany.

Giselle is a lovely Aussie........

Profound apologies. It is only 11.00am here, I'm not drunk, honest.

[Penelope]

Who was it that caught you falling
And put you back on your feet
Who was it that tripped you any way
(In order that the two of us would meet)
It was me and I'll tell you why
Oh! I did it because of my
Pure unabashed devotion to loving you
Who was it that tried to kiss you
Despite a very definite now
And who was it that managed to succeed
(In getting it with your fist down below)
It was me and I'll tell you why
Oh! I did it because of my
Pure unabashed devotion to loving
You and me both feel the same
We even look alike
And like it's a bloomin' shame
That because we do
People think we're you
Know what I mean
Who was it that came to see you
When there was no-one else in sight
And who was it that stayed over an hour
(And not as I'd expected over night)
It was me and I'll tell you why
Oh! I did it because of my
Pure unabashed devotion to loving
Pure unabashed devotion to loving
You, you, you, you
Who was it that caught you falling

Gilbert O'Sullivan - his real name is Ray

[Saffron]

Oh Bugger, I've just remembered, it is Oblivion in Germany.

Giselle is a lovely Aussie........

Profound apologies. It is only 11.00am here, I'm not drunk, honest.

Penny, I don't mind being thought of as a Canadian - I'd be proud to be one.